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Asthma sufferers say that the cost of prescriptions often forces them to skip
medication, putting their health at risk.

Campaigners say that it is unfair and illogical that people with asthma and
many other conditions have to pay for drugs when those with diabetes or
epilepsy get them free. England is the only country in the UK that charges
for prescriptions. Charities have called for an overhaul of the system of
allocating free prescriptions, which has changed little in almost 50 years.
However, ministers say that exempting all those with long-term conditions
from charges is unaffordable.